Early morning Blue Alert issued across Texas for attack roughly 280 miles from Dallas

Texans were jolted awake early Friday when authorities issued a Blue Alert for a man suspected of shooting a police chief in Hall County, southeast of Amarillo.

A $10,000 award is being offered for information that leads to the man’s arrest, Governor Greg Abbott announced Friday afternoon. Authorities are searching for 33-year-old Seth Altman, who is suspected of wounding Rex Plant, the police chief in Memphis, Texas, according to a news release from Abbott’s office.

On Thursday night, Plant and another officer were serving an arrest warrant on a burglary charge when Altman is accused of pulling out a handgun and firing multiple rounds, striking Plant before fleeing on foot, the release said. Plant was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital.

An arrest warrant for the attempted capital murder of a peace officer was issued on Friday for Altman, who was added to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s top 10 most wanted list.

Altman was last seen just after 11 p.m. Thursday, about 280 miles away from Dallas, in the 200 block of South 4th Street in Memphis. He was traveling on foot, last seen heading toward State Highway 287, according to the alert issued by Texas DPS.

Altman is described as a white man, who is 6′2″ and about 220 pounds with red hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans.

Authorities believe Altman or his vehicle involves a serious risk or threat to the public and other law enforcement. Anyone who sees him should not approach and call 911, authorities said.

“Texas is first and foremost a law-and-order state,” Abbott said in a written statement. “Law enforcement officers selflessly put their lives on the line each day they put on their badge, and they deserve to know that they have the full support of the State of Texas ... Cecilia and I are praying for the swift recovery of Chief Rex Plant and for his loved ones during this difficult time.”

The governor encouraged anyone with information about the shooting to call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-8477 or submit an anonymous tip online.

Anyone with information about Altman may also call the Hall County sheriff’s office at 806-259-2636.